Rare photographs from North Korea leader Kim's childhood broadcast during Pyongyang concert
PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 23 April, 2014, 3:42pm
UPDATED : Wednesday, 23 April, 2014, 3:43pm
Staff reporter
Composite of photos of Kim Jong-un saluting as a child and as an adult
A rare glimpse into the early childhood of Kim Jong-un has been seen by a privileged few North Koreans at a concert in Pyongyang attended by their reclusive leader.
Still photos showing a chronological documentary of the Kim dynasty including pictures of Kim as a young boy were shown after a concert in the capital, met by clapping and cheering from the audience.
Still image from video broadcast by North Korea's state run television of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's childhood during the concert in Pyongyang. Photo: Reuters
North Korea’s state-run television broadcast the images as part of footage of the show, where the country’s air force soldiers met Kim for the first time.
Photos showed Kim as a young child giving a stern salute in an air force uniform, while another showed him in a more playful mood with a smile on his face.
Video: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's childhood photos shown at concert
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Another photo showed an older Kim in a cockpit.
North Korea’s official news agency KCNA said the concert was held on April 16.
Screenshot of Kim smiling as a young boy
Kim succeeded his father Kim Jong-il as Supreme Leader of North Korea at the age of 28 in December 2011 and is currently the world’s youngest head of state.
Although there is no official biography of his life, it is believed he attended schools in Switzerland and France, and was described by classmates as a shy child who was indifferent to politics but liked to play basketball.
Screenshot of an older Kim sitting in a cockpit
He was said to attend Kim Il-sung University, an officer-training school in Pyongyang, and was revealed as his father’s heir in 2009 after his eldest half-brother Kim Hong-nam fell out of favour.
Kim holds the titles of First Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the First Chairman of the National Defence Commission, Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army and Chairman of the Central Military Commission. Last month he was elected unopposed to the Supreme People’s Assembly.
Screenshot of an older Kim in his air force uniform
